Multiplayer VR Arena

DreamTrace, a Strange Stars Entertainment brand, seeks to bridge the distance between virtual reality and real-life practical needs. It offers commercial utilization of virtual reality and motion tracking systems, as well as premium VR game experiences for general customers.

Multiplayer VR arena project by 4Experience

Client

DreamTrace

Sector

Virtual reality
Entertainment
Interior visualization

Services

VR development
Game design support

Technology

Unity, C#, Leap Motion, OptiTrack, Valve Index

Visual results video

Challenge

Motion tracking in a physical VR arena

ArcViz: Our client needed tools and a custom editor to easily prepare scenes for different clients that wanted to use ArcViz. Furthermore, the UI of the platform itself had to be intuitive and functional. It required some effort, but we managed to meet these requirements sufficiently.

Arena: In this part of the project, we needed to implement precision VR motion tracking and multiplayer functionalities. Both of these are challenges on their own, but if you combine the two, the task becomes much more difficult. And that’s great, we love complex assignments!

Besides the precise tracking and coordination of each player’s movement, we spent quite some time implementing peripheral hardware. This includes exquisite devices like haptic vests and a custom-made rifle. We also included a number of Unity editor tools so that our client could easily customize the game experience.

Business Value

The project consisted of two modules: ArcViz and Arena. Both were based on the same core solution – a VR arena with motion tracking.

ArcViz enables viewing architectural designs in a VR arena on a 1:1 scale. Our client wanted to provide individuals from the architectural industry with an advanced and modern tool to showcase their designs. The idea was to use VR to make the experience immersive and implement useful tools in the environment.

With VR & motion tracking, the user can physically walk around the virtual space which makes the presentation a lot more realistic and natural. Our client’s goal was to offer virtual reality sessions commercially.

Arena is a VR motion-tracking shooter game for up to 6 players. It’s a PVP/PVE competition designed for a physical arena which makes the experience feel natural and more realistic than regular VR shooters. The business idea was to make a profit by selling game sessions to users.

Keith Hurley - Strange Stars Entertainment

Testimonial

High-level Unity development at affordable pricing, with a highly skilled, motivated and affable team. We were most impressed with the availability and flexibility of the team to support us while separated by different continents and time zones.

Simply the best remote contract developer team I’ve ever worked with. Hard working, professional, personable and all-around creative problem solvers.

Keith Hurley, Director of Media & User Experience at Strange Stars Entertainment LLC/DreamTrace, Inc.

Process and project scope

Scope

ArcViz and Arena were based on the same core and were developed simultaneously despite their different objectives. A lot of effort was put into VR motion tracking of the users and equipment.

Other tasks included synchronization with backend apps, connecting the additional hardware and developing boundary and proximity systems. We also developed key mechanics, implemented 3D models and optimized the platform for performance.

Service

Using both standard and R&D solutions, we developed a high-quality and innovative VR arena with motion tracking. Upon delivery, both ArcViz and Arena were fully functional and ready to be used commercially.

We combined new solutions with proven techniques and ensured the visuals and voice communication system went in pair with the well-designed application core.

Collaboration

Communication with the client was very smooth and pleasant. We contacted each other weekly via Google Meet and sent each other updates on Discord. Our client really appreciated our availability during their working hours despite the different time zones.

Unity - the main tool used by 4Experience

Technology stack

The target device in this project was the Valve Index VR headset combined with a lightweight PC in a backpack that provided the necessary computing power. We developed the software in Unity, using C# and several external plugins.

We also took advantage of the Leap Motion Controller and other additional hardware, including a custom-made blaster rifle and haptic vests. The platform made use of a dedicated physical environment equipped with the OptiTrack system.